EX-SCOTTISH secretary Jim Murphy has insisted increased home rule should be “compulsory” after a No vote with London giving up powers to Holyrood.

Leading figures on both sides of the independence debate have made a fresh plea to voters with 200 days to go until the referendum.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said only a Yes vote would secure the powers that Scotland needs.

But Murphy is expected to tell a debate at King’s College London on Tuesday: “Further meaningful devolution to Scotland is compulsory.

“I know that most Scots are desperate to get rid of the Tories and many of us also want further powers devolved to Scotland from the House of Commons.

“Over the next year or so we can do both by voting to have more powers for Scotland and no Tories in Downing Street.

“I want the next Labour government to go further on devolving power.

“Scotland has to hear from Labour loudly and clearly that our future isn’t a choice between this unacceptable Tory status quo versus independence. Scotland deserves better than that.”

Meanwhile, Sturgeon has condemned Unionist parties for their failure to put together a joint package on extra powers for Scotland in the event of a No vote.

While Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems are expected to come up with separate plans about how devolution could be enhanced, she said these would “fall short of what Scotland needs”.

In a speech to the Scottish Council for Development and Industry tomorrow, Sturgeon will say: “These limited pro-posals mean responsibility for the vast majority of Scottish taxes would remain with Westminster.”